anchorage alaska history tours

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Visiting Anchorage: A Hub for Alaska History, Culture and Fun Festivals

Published: december 13, 2022.

Home » Epic Locations » Visiting Anchorage: A Hub for Alaska History, Culture and Fun Festivals

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, and while some forms of daily life here mirror that of any other bustling urban area, it embraces a unique community that blends the best of city living with awesome outdoor adventures and Alaska’s pioneer charm and grit. The spirit of Anchorage is rooted in a fascinating foundation of Alaska Native culture and diversity with a history of exploration, providing all Anchorage visitors with many “only-in-Alaska” experiences and insights.

A Rich History: From Russia to the Gold Rush, Oil to Statehood

One of the most fulfilling elements of an Alaska visit is digging into and experiencing its history firsthand. Anchorage is Alaska’s travel and tourism hub, and as such is the epicenter of the state’s history and cultural landmarks. These historic milestones are showcased in museum collections and art exhibits, at cultural centers and festivals, in local Anchorage businesses and restaurants, and in the Alaskan lifestyles of its residents, from Alaska Native people to Alaska Sourdoughs to immigrants from faraway lands. But what’s truly exciting about Anchorage landmarks celebrating Alaska history and its indigenous past is the way these are captured in stories, cuisine, ceremonies, cultural artifacts and Alaskan lifestyles, not just from the past – but continuing right into the present.

Visit the Anchorage Museum (Source: Kevin G. Smith)

Anchorage’s history is also one of extreme booms and busts, complete with characters that were courageous, unfortunate, and notorious. Their Northern exploits could fuel a dramatic Netflix series. The most notable and nefarious have streets and landmarks named after them and the most adventurous, have statues, plaques and paintings to memorialize them. Bush pilots, for example, were and remain renowned. In fact, in Anchorage, they have their own small museum, the Alaska Aviation Museum in Lake Hood.

Spotlight on Alaska Native Culture

Alaska Native culture and Alaska history are intertwined and vital. They are embodied in the many indigenous people who proudly represent tribes from all across Alaska, and play key roles as community and state leaders, Alaska ambassadors, and teachers of their culture. Much of this occurs in Anchorage. The awe-inspiring and award-winning Alaska Native Heritage Center shares with visitors the Alaska which existed long before cities like Anchorage were built when storytelling, art and tool displays, and more were vital elements of community connection. Here, languages, dancing and drumming are shared with visitors to show them how these traditions were part of a thriving culture where they both helped to foster survival as well as to entertain. It’s also where Alaska Native artists and crafters use their skills to capture the experiences of the First Alaskans in carvings and murals, jewelry and traditional tools.

Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage

Today, Anchorage is proud to boast of its status as one of America’s most culturally diverse cities. 2020 census data illustrate a city that’s a beautiful collection of cultures from every corner of the world – Asia to South America, Europe to the South Pacific. One in five students in the Anchorage School District speaks English as a second language. That kind of diversity makes for a lively community. These diverse cultures are celebrated and represented through special Alaska holidays, and at weekend markets, annual festivals, restaurants and businesses. This is the Alaska of today.

Join In the Fun: Anchorage Festivals Welcome All

Like any big city, modern Anchorage and its current residents and visitors take just about every opportunity to celebrate something. There are Anchorage festivals and celebrations associated with popular national and statewide holidays as well as smaller, Alaska-centric community events. New Year’s Eve in Anchorage is big as it is a rare opportunity to actually see fireworks explode in the sky. So are the Winter and Summer Solstices (big-time parties). Then there are the harvests of fall including the Blueberry Festival in nearby Girdwood, and the weeks-long and citywide Fur Rendezvous which pays tribute to the end of winter/start of spring and to fur trapper traditions.

Fur Rendezvous Fun in Anchorage (Source: Jody O, Visit Anchorage)

In the summer, farmers’ markets sprout up across the community, offering fresh vegetables and Alaska crafts. And in the winter, there’s an influx of craft fairs, which are especially popular around the holidays. These are great places to savor the authentic “tastes” of Alaska, as well as find amazing Alaska keepsakes (from food items and trinkets, clothing collections and more) while supporting hardworking small business owners and independent business people.

Alaska’s traditional and modern artists often draw their artistic inspiration from Alaska’s history, cultures and natural environment as well as modern politics and social issues. Travelers can find the best and newest on display in Anchorage’s downtown galleries and at many smaller shops that promote and support the work of Alaskan artists and artisans. Every first Friday of the month, there’s an Art Walk in downtown Anchorage and around town that visit galleries where artists share their works.

Visit Anchorage to see and learn about Native Alaska art and traditions.

Visiting Anchorage can include many must-see and must-do day trips and local experiences. But some of the most endearing and memorable aspects of Alaska and Anchorage life can be found by simply exploring the city on your own and enjoying its special history and cultures.

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• Anchorage City Tour

Explore the history and beauty of Alaska’s largest city.

• Things to Do in Anchorage

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Once a ramshackle tent city built to house Alaska Railroad workers, Anchorage has grown from an impermanent camp, into Alaska's largest city. This tour explores that history, and several of the sites that make the community special to visitors and locals alike.

From impermanent origins, Anchorage grew into Alaska's largest city.

The tour kicks off with a very quick drive from downtown to Ship Creek. The silty stream is known for its king salmon run, but back in the day, it was the site of the city's first neighborhood. From here, the tour guide takes the group on a drive through an area called Bootleggers Cove in route to Earthquake Park. The park, which is on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, commemorates the 1964 Good Friday earthquake.

Boarding the van again, the tour continues to the Lake Hood Seaplane Base, the busiest floatplane airport in the world. Here, the group learns about the adventurous early aviators who made Alaska's remote lands more accessible. History mingles with the present, as small planes are just as crucial to the way of life in Alaska as they were in the old days. The tour concludes with a drive into the Chugach Mountains bordering Anchorage for panoramic views of the city, the Cook Inlet, and the Alaska Range.

The fully guided Anchorage City Tour includes stops at Ship Creek, Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, and the Flattop Trailhead overlook.

What to Bring

Much of this tour is conducted outside, so bring a warm layer and rain jacket as needed for the weather. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Don't forget a camera and binoculars.

Transfers & Meeting Points

The tour provides complimentary pickup from major Anchorage hotels when booked in advance.

Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.

Child rates apply to children under the age of 12.

Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.

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Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.

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Quick Facts

• Duration 2.5 Hours
• Departs 9:00 AM
• Operating Dates Daily from 4/1/2024 to 9/30/2024
• Activity Level Less Active

What's Included

• Stops at five historical Anchorage destinations.
• Local guide.
• Pickup from area hotels.

Guest Feedback

"A great tour. We felt like we saw the highlights, and the tour guide (Chloe) was energetic and informative, and we finally saw Denali!! A real highlight!"

~Patricia from Georgia~

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All-in-One (Winter/Summer)

This tour is centered around the incredible Alaskan environment we call home. Winter and Summer tours available. Winter, explore the one-way tunnel to Whittier and enjoy an all-you-can eat fresh halibut and seasonal seafood lunch. Summer, option to go to Portage Glacier – a one-hour cruise

• Hour Glass 9 hours
• Calendar Year-round

Summer Specials

• Hour Glass 2-4 hours

Start your visit to Alaska with a tour of Anchorage led by a true Alaskan native. Get local insights and learn about the history of the city. This tour can be extended or customized!

• MOST POPULAR
• Sells Out Fast!
• Hour Glass 4 hours

Sunset City Tour

The Sunset City Tour has been exception this year. Voted the number on City and Wildlife Tour in Anchorage five years in a row. Anchorage Downtown TourGroup is proud to include the tour nightly and year-round in Anchorage. The last couple of months we have sited a large amount of City Wildlife. Lynx, Bear, Porcupine, Fox, Coyote and lots and lots of moose. What a wonderful adventure our guests have while touring the Anchorage Area. This tour leaves 4 hours prior to sunset and your never disappointed in the spectacular views and majestic wildlife. (wildlife vary during seasons)

The Lynx have been a frequent site this year. They are usually a rare siting and can be difficult to capture on camera. This summer we have had some exceptional luck.

The Salmon along Ship-Creek have been plentiful. We had a record run of King Salmon this year and our many guests have enjoyed the views only blocks from the heart of downtown Anchorage.

Beluga whale sitings in September are phenomenal.

Make sure you include the downtown Anchorage Sunset City Tour during your visit to Alaska.

• Hour Glass 8 hours

Matanuska Glacier

Hike on one of the largest glaciers from Anchorage! This Alaska day trip offers the experience of a lifetime, with glacier hiking, wildlife viewing, and abundant photo opportunities.

Voted the Best Tours in Anchorage, Alaska

Welcome to the land of the midnight sun! Here at Anchorage Downtown TourGroup, we pride ourselves on giving each and every person a memorable Alaskan experience.

ADTG is owned and operated by native Alaskans, so we know where the real adventures are. We offer tours ranging from taking in the beautiful city of Anchorage to helicopter rides and dog sledding! If you want to have the best time while you’re in Alaska, book your tour with Anchorage Downtown TourGroup!

Rated 5 Stars on TripAdvisor

Russ saved our stay in Anchorage. He welcomed us so friendly and kind when we came to the office. We had some problems with bookings and he helped us out right away! Every dollar of this tour is worth it! Russ knowledge is incredible. He is professional, experienced and attentive. Highly recommend this long, interesting and adventerous tour! Thanks Russ for such an amazing day.

Our adventure started in Anchorage, where we visited the city and its surroundings with the help of “Anchorage Downtown Tour Group”, having Russ Reno as our guide, the best tourist guide in the city. We had the chance to take a private tour and it was an amazing experience, because we could learn many things about Alaska’s recent history, the evolution of local economy, and we also visited wonderful places unrepeatable on the planet.

We were in Anchorage at our precruise hotel and had a couple hours before the bus left so we asked the concierge if they knew of anybody who could drive us around and make stops on short notice...he suggested Anchorage Downtown Tourgroup. We are talking serious last minute idea and thanks to Russ, who owns the TourGroup, it happened!!! Due to very bad knees, I couldn’t walk to the places I wanted to see so Russ drove us to all of our stops and provided a fabulous tour of Anchorage. It made our trip which started out bad at our hotel, just fantastic!

Anchorage Downtown Tour Group is a small independent tour provider located near the Hilton in downtown Anchorage. The owner provides great personal service, has lived in Alaska most of his life, knows where all the interesting places are and has a treasure trove of fascinating Alaskan stories. They also take very good care of their clients.

I was born in Anchorage Alaska at Providence hospital on 9th and L street. I have met and broken bread with Russ Reno. I have never met a more knowledgeable guide for all things Alaska. If he doesn't know the answer he'll go out of his way to find it. I am looking forward to my next trip to Anchorage and seeing/talking/touring with Russ!

We were trying to book a tour with another company and nothing was working out for the only day we had to explore. We were sent to Russ. What an amazing tour guide. So knowledgable and flexible. We had so many adventures and even though it was raining and cold, we explored every moment that was presented to us. We saw Beluga whales, glaciers, iceburgs, amazing waterfalls, Bore waves and surfers riding them, animals at the wildlife conservatory, salmon as well as a tour of Anchorage.

Complimentary, Guided Tours Offered Daily at 1 p.m. Resuming May 1, 2024. Docent's choice of the galleries or exhibitions listed below:

Art of the north.

See the North through the work of artists, from Romantic landscape paintings of the 20th century, to contemporary works, including works by Indigenous artists.

LIVING OUR CULTURES, SHARING OUR HERITAGE: THE FIRST PEOPLES OF ALASKA

In the largest and longest loan made by the Smithsonian Institution, the Living Our Cultures exhibition has brought more than 600 Alaska Native cultural heritage pieces to their homelands and provides access for hands-on study by Alaska Native Elders, artists, educators and scholars.

The Alaska Exhibition

This exhibition tells the story of Alaska through multiple voices and perspectives reflecting the ingenuity, technology, ways of knowing and intimate understanding of the landscape that have allowed people to survive and thrive across the North.

Private Tours

Make your group's visit one to remember with a private, docent-led tour through the museum’s galleries. Tours need to be scheduled two weeks in advance. Cost is $200 per docent for up to 20 people per tour. E-mail [email protected] to schedule or for more information.

*Both guided and private tours are subject to availability.

Upcoming tours.

Please visit the calendar to see all upcoming Anchorage Museum events.

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ANCHORAGE TROLLEY TOURS

WINTER CITY TOUR

Join us as we travel 25 miles through this winter wonderland we call home. Visiting Anchorage’s historical sites and cultural landmarks along the way. Meet our guides to hear their family stories, share Anchorage’s history, and answer any questions you may have. With many stops to explore and experience why we love Alaska.

MILES ROUND-TRIP

Highlighted locations, winter - exclusive stops, at a glance.

All Aboard, Anchorage’s favorite city tour!

Explore Anchorage’s history, culture, and wildlife. All along the way, help spot our most famous Alaskan resident, the mighty moose. Every minute of the tour, you’ll be guided by a local Alaskan sharing why they love Anchorage. Every ticket comes with a complimentary coupon book with over 40 businesses within walking distance for saving on restaurants, gift shops, other tours and local attractions. So, when you’re ready to get the “lay of the land” or just have an hour in town, this tour is the perfect way to begin your adventure in Anchorage!

I highly recommend taking this tour while you're in Anchorage. Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable (and funny), the ride itself was smooth and comfortable, and the meetup process was easy! Take a whole bunch of friends or go alone, the experience will be great either way!

Victoria Ortiz

Discover the vibrant tapestry of Anchorage’s history with us, as we delve into the captivating narrative of Alaska’s largest city. Embark on our tours to uncover Anchorage’s rich heritage, spanning from its early origins to the present day. Traverse through time as we journey through the city’s foundations, pivotal events, and iconic cultural landmarks.

Experience the perpetual beating heart of the Alaska Railroad, witness the frozen shockwaves of the transformative 1964 “Good Friday Earthquake” at Earthquake Park, and delve into the fascinating saga of Alaskan aviation history at Lake Hood and Lake Spenard Seaplane Base.

At Anchorage Trolley, we recognize the profound significance of our histories to Alaska, and it’s our passion to share these stories and tales with you. Join us on an unforgettable journey through Anchorage’s past and present!

Anchorage, with its diverse tapestry of over 300,000 residents, serves as a vibrant melting pot where skills, cultures, ethnicities, religions, hobbies, and individuals from a myriad of backgrounds converge. Here, the “Alaska Life” isn’t just a concept—it’s our cherished identity, a way of living that we enthusiastically embrace and delight in sharing with travelers like you.

Embark on our tours to immerse yourself in the essence of the Alaska Life. Our knowledgeable guides will entertain you with exclusive family stories, offering unique insights into our way-of-life. Explore cultural hotspots along the way, where the pulse of our community beats strongest, and enjoy many opportunities to get up close to our local favorites! Come, experience the heart and soul of Anchorage, where the Alaska Life thrives and invites you to join in on the fun!

Haven’t crossed paths with any wildlife on your Alaskan adventure yet? Dreaming of encountering the majestic Alaskan Moose in its natural habitat? Your chance is here! Join us on any of our tours, where the thrill of encountering diverse Alaskan wildlife awaits. From the towering Moose to the crafty Black Bear, our routes offer frequent opportunities to marvel at Alaska’s natural wonders.

Stay vigilant during your trolley tour; you might just catch sight of these incredible creatures from the cozy confines of your seat. We frequently see moose, eagles, and occasionally bears! Embrace the excitement of wildlife spotting as you journey through Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes with us!

Anchorage's #1 Favorite City Tour

Tour Highlights

Tour highlights include:.

Snowzilla  ⛄️ Take a picture with a 30 ft tall snowman!

Mysterious Earthquake Park  📈 Observe the shockwaves frozen in time from the 1964 Earthquake.

Star the Reindeer  ⭐️ Visit our beloved resident Reindeer to learn the heartwarming story of her adoption by a local family.

Lake Hood  🛩️ The world’s largest and busiest small engine aircraft base in the world!

Moose Sightings  🫎 Experience the wild side of Anchorage for the best opportunity to encounter one of the 1,500 moose that call this city their home.

Point Woronzof Scenic Vista  🌅 Breathtaking panoramic views of Cook Inlet, snow capped Chugach mountains and possibly a glimpse of Mount Denali.

Veterans Memorial Monument  🗽 Showcasing our state’s military history while honoring the bravery, dedication, and sacrifice of our veterans.

Alaska Railroad  🚂 The ‘locomotive’ force behind the creation of Anchorage.

Alaska Railroad

Resolution park vista, earthquake park, point woronzof scenic vista, wildlife sightings, lake hood seaplane base.

• Total Capacity: 28 Guests
• Two Guests per Seat-Bench
• Small Storage Area Behind Back Two Seats
• Seats are First-Come First-Serve!
• Food and Drink are Welcome Aboard
• Heating-Cooling Temperature Control
• Comfortable Seating
• Clean and Clear Windows

Questions or Concerns? Email us Today!

Ready to begin your adventure! Book Online Now!

Ready to book? Have questions? Call Us Now!

Lookin' for Something Else?

Salmon express.

Join us on the Salmon Express for a narrated round-trip tour to the largest sport fish hatchery in North America. At the Hatchery enjoy the unique opportunity to stroll along the creek and witness schools of Alaska salmon navigating against the creek’s currents. At your own pace, step inside the hatchery to discover the meticulous process required to nurture over 6 million sport fish annually.

Earthquake Park  📈 Revisit the devastation caused by the 1964 Black Friday earthquake.

Wildlife Sightings  🫎 A chance at spotting moose!

Lake Hood Seaplane Base  ✈️ The largest floatplane airport in the world.

Alaska Railroad  🚂 A legend over 90 years in the making.

Historic Neighborhoods  🏡 Discover the stories of Anchorage’s most historically significant neighborhoods.

Captain Cook Monument  ⛵️ Learn the history about one of Alaska’s most famous explorers.

Captain Cook

Amazing views, trolley info.

• Total Capacity: 30 Guests

Not what you're looking for?

High-lighted stops.

Wildlife Sightings  🫎 Help us spot moose

Alaska Railroad  🚂 A legend over 100 years in the making.

Captain Cook Monument  ⛵️ Learn the story about one of Alaska’s most famous explorers.

Hop off & Explore at:

Ship Creek  🎣 Watch anglers hope to catch the coveted King Salmon.

Point Woronzof  🏙️ Enjoy views of the Anchorage downtown skyline with the Chugach Mountains as your backdrop.

Earth-quake Park

Wild-life sighting, lake hood sea-plane base, +1 907 276 5603, [email protected], [email protected], pick up address:.

• 546 W. 4TH AVENUE ANCHORAGE, AK 99501

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Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage

• All Fees and Taxes
• Entry/Admission - Alaska Native Heritage Center
• 546 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA We pull up behind the red trolley on the corner of 4th & F Street. Look for a gray van with a brown bear on the back. The van will have Alaska's Finest logo on the door with the van clearly labeled Turnagain Arm Shuttle.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• Customer must pay for infant seats and bring own car seats.
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at 546 W 4th Ave 546 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA We pull up behind the red trolley on the corner of 4th & F Street. Look for a gray van with a brown bear on the back. The van will have Alaska's Finest logo on the door with the van clearly labeled Turnagain Arm Shuttle. See address & details
• 1 Anchorage Stop: 3 hours See details
• 2 Alaska Native Heritage Center Stop: 60 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• LikaCA 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Just do it. You won't regret it We waffled on whether or not to do this due to the cost, and because we're not really "tour group" people, but at the last minute I booked a tour. (You can't get onto the glacier without a guided tour). It ended up the highlight of our trip. The glacier is just gorgeous. Truly otherworldly. The guide was personable and informative without being always in your face or talking nonstop. He allowed time for people to just take it all in. It never felt canned or rushed. The hike itself is not too strenuous (you don't have to be athletic to do it). If you only book one tour while in Alaska, this is the one to do. Read more Written March 30, 2024
• Z6897FMmarshab 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Day in Anchorage! My mom and I had a fantastic time. Donna was very informative, friendly and we really enjoyed the sights and learning about her history. We took a break from the tour to take another party to the airport, when they were running late, then happily continued on the tour. Read more Written March 22, 2024
• tanykiganyk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Waouh Experience This was a lifetime best experience. The glacier looked so beautiful and surreal. And to be able to touch it, lick it, drink its fresh water, slide on it, walk on a frozen river, and take in all those facts about glaciers? It was just Waouh Read more Written March 19, 2024
• Schrammer2018 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wow! What a great tour. Awesome views and we were able to see lots of wildlife. Our guide Matt was amazing. Definitely worth the time and money. Read more Written March 19, 2024
• agolfingtripper 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic experience!!! Fantastic experience. Driver Dan from Anchorage to the glacier was great. Amiable and informative all along the way in both directions. Once at the base of the glacier, our guide Thomas was awesome. We luckily had a small group so we didn’t miss any of his knowledgeable and entertaining commentary. The “brief” sled ride out to the start of the hike was the coldest I’ve ever been (it was -30), but once we started walking on the glacier, it was plenty warm. I loved it and would highly recommend! Read more Written March 14, 2024
• Roam27979684971 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Alaska Very interesting tour! I would highly recommend this to anyone who is considering booking. Our guide Matthew was great! He took his time with the tour and we were able to get some amazing photos! I am planning to visit Alaska in the spring and most definitely I'll book tours with Alaska's Finest Tours & Cruises. Read more Written March 11, 2024
• W1288YSjacobc 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful tour with nice tour guides The tour guide picked us up in downtown, Anchorage in the early morning. He is so friendly and nice to talk to which kicked off the day with a blast. We took around 2 hours from downtown to glacier and we dropped by a local supermarket for grabbing lunch as we were informed that food is not available on the site. The glacier hiking tour will be around 2-3 hours long. You have to make sure yourself in warmth with good pair of gloves, beanies and good socks. You will get colder and colder if the sun is shading by the cloud. The glacier is quite a massive one and you will definitely enjoy it a lot. Make sure yourself have a portable charger for your phone on the way back as the cold temperature around glacier is going to drain your battery so much quicker than you thought. The overall experience is nice and full of amazement. The tour is well organized with good transportations and tour guides. Last but not least, the tour guide gave us a good list of recommended restaurants and showed us where they locates before dropping us off. Read more Written March 8, 2024
• Louisa V 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Must see tour of city. Great tour, got to see so much. Van was comfortable and had several binoculars for viewing the beautiful landscape. The demonstration at the Ulu factory and samples at Alaska seafood and sausage was wonderful. It felt like I was on vacation with family. The guide was very knowledgeable and pleasant. Read more Written March 6, 2024
• laurenwW9113JL 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Short and sweet way to explore the city Communication before the tour was helpful to know what time and where to be for pickup. The tour bus was clean, warm, and they had binoculars in case you needed them. The guide was friendly and informative. I enjoyed all the different stops to local stores and also to look at some scenery. This was a nice half-day tour to see some sights and learn some info about local restaurants. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Read more Written March 5, 2024
• Adrianat99 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Hands-down best scenic tour! Highly recomendable! AMAZING! Sites at Turnagain, Portage and Girdwood were magazine-worthy, animal center is FANTASTIC! Matthew was the best!! Read more Written March 5, 2024
• 773kelleyb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best Decision Ever!!!!! This is some thing I would typically never do on my own, but it was a once in a lifetime adventure, and Matthew did not disappoint! He is so knowledgeable about the whole area and Alaska and general, and made our trip extremely special. I enjoyed getting to know everyone else on the van, and I always felt safe with Matthew driving even with the road conditions. The scenery and the beauty of Alaska was more than I could’ve ever dreamed of!!! Awesome experience!!! Read more Written February 28, 2024
• melissarV4796RK 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour! Had an amazing tour with Donna. She was such a fun and educational tour guide. The van was comfortable, loved every stop and suggestion made. Read more Written February 2, 2024
• Martha D 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Spectacular tour! This was just amazing! I would highly recommend this to anyone who is considering booking. Our guide was great! He took his time with the tour and we were able to get some amazing photos! Read more Written January 31, 2024
• DayTrip797403 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Well worth it!! The tour was great and well worth the money. Donna was a great guide and very knowledgeable about the area. She let us get out to take photos when we wanted. The best part was getting to see Denali. Read more Written January 30, 2024
• youngl845 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Real Winter The tour gave me a great insight from a local and I enjoyed the real winter in the northern state. Snow covered mountains created snow walls. Plus, no bug and no snake. Read more Written January 22, 2024

More to explore in Anchorage

Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage provided by Alaska's Finest Tours & Cruises - Tours

  Your Tour Guide to the Wild Side  

  what are you doing today  .

Let Your Tour Guide to the Wild Side take you places you didn't know you wanted to go! Each unique tour is customized to the group for maximum enjoyment! Experience the unexpected and marvel at the beauty of Alaska as Escaping Anchorage takes you on an adventure like no other! BOOK NOW!

You could be

  OUR MOST POPULAR TOUR  

Ride & Roam: Mystery Sightseeing Tour

Every tour is a new adventure customized to the group!

3-hour excursions starting in downtown Anchorage

Unique and obscure locations to give you an experience like no other!

Comfortable, temperature controlled vehicle 

Learn about the history, flora & fauna, and favorite local legends around the area.

Many possible stops for incredible photo opportunities

Year Round adventures

   Rave Reviews!   

Had an incredible tour to see wildlife at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and beautiful nature / sunset views!! Brittney was an awesome guide and very knowledgeable about local animals, Alaskan history and culture, and more. Brittney knew so many animals at the conservation center by name, and knew their backstories! Would definitely recommend and look forward to coming back again soon!

Brittney's an amazing tour guide!! She showed me Potter Marsh where I was able to walk on a boardwalk and see a bald eagle perched on a tree and see salmon swimming upstream as the females lay their eggs along the rocks. She also took me to a hidden waterfall of a gem. It was beautiful 🙂. I hope to be able to come back to Alaska again in the very near future so I can have her show me some more sights I missed. She's very knowledgeable and knows the area very well. What's also great is that she and I are from Southern CA! I highly recommend her to all tourists new and returning.

What a great way to spend a few hours “off the beaten path”. Brittany was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and a wonderful guide showing us a few places around Anchorage we would have missed otherwise. Don’t miss the chance to experience this small group tour and learn all you can about the area!

High5 on TripAdvisor

I would recommend going on this tour. Brittney is very knowledgeable and customize each adventure to fit your needs. She takes you to all the hidden gems in and around the city. Even though I was solo on the tour she made it very enjoyable. I would do it again!!! Cheers

Amazing short day tour north of Anchorage! I booked Escaping Anchorage as a gift for my cousin and her husband for their first trip to Alaska! We only had a few hours in Anchorage and the short day tour was a perfect way for them to see the beautiful northern outskirts of Anchorage including their FIRST GLACIER! Our tour guide, Brittany, educated our group along the way on various topics including the geological history of the region, popular historical facts, local legends and where Big Foot prefers to drink beers! 😋

Brittany is such a fun person! You can tell she really loves Alaska and has a soft spot for wildlife. She knew all the names of the rescued animals at the AWCC and shared a lot of facts and history about Alaska, which was fascinating. We appreciated her going the extra mile to point out good restaurants and make sure we had other Anchorage “must sees” on our list.

Exceeded my expectations,

extremely impressed!!!

Extremely beautiful town and Brittany is a wonderful tour guide. She knows the area very well and there’s a lot to see. You can do several tours and have completely different experience every time. She offers a very fair price for the amazing views. Thanks Brittany for hospitality! My family and I will be back.

In meeting Brittney you can tell that she is “everything Alaska”. Her knowledge, enthusiasm and love for this amazing state is apparent…and infectious!! Love her energy. Totally enjoyed the Musk Ox Farm tour!! The staff at the farm are so dedicated and knowledgeable…their narrative tour really opened my eyes to these magnificent animals. And…meeting the famous “Luna” Musk Ox???…..priceless!

Fantastic tour with Brittney and Escaping Anchorage. Highly recommended…she is very focused on delivering an exceptional experience. I was looking to spend a few hours seeing the outskirts of town, and Brittney suggested visiting a wildlife refuge/conservation preserve. Learned a bunch about elks, caribou, reindeer, black & brown bears, musk ox, porcupines, eagles, owls, lynx, etc. Safe driving, good conversation, and on schedule. Book now.

Thank-you Escaping Anchorage for such a an unexpected & spontaneous great day!!!

Our flight was delayed for 8 HOURS after our Denali trip, and we definitely thought we were going to spend our last day in AK sitting at a brewery bored…. BUT! We found a business card for Escaping Anchorage daily tours and figured we had nothing to lose! We called up the owner who cheerfully had an entire day of fun planned for us within the hour- then she came and picked us up in her awesome touring van and drove us to some AMAZING sightseeing locations that couldn’t have been 20 miles out of town. She really knew her stuff and pointed out all kinds of cool wildlife and historical facts for us- she felt like a friend we didn’t know we had in the city showing us all the sneaky local gems that the tourists don’t know about! Lol After taking us through a gentle forest hike to a waterfall, enjoying a few scenic lookouts and watching whales swimming up the Turnagain arm...We seriously felt like we spent our last day with a friend who showed us the sights we didn’t know to look for! Thank-you Brittney for such thoughtful and fun service!! Best of luck to you with your small business- we were fans indeed!! :) Highly recommend if you have some time to kill in the city with no car / nothing to do and don’t know where to start!

Good to have this last minute activity in Anchorage. Enjoyed the tour mostly at Alaska Wild Conservatory Center. Needless to say, Britney’s such a great guide, which made the tour fun-filled and informative at the same time.

Most locations are within Chugach State Park & Palmer Hayflats Wildlife Refuge area. Your admission is included! 

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Aviation History Tours

Aviation has long been a lifeline to rural Alaska ("the bush") and is an unforgettable way to view the magnificence of the Great Land. Get a look at historic machines that link remote Alaska with the world before taking off from the world’s busiest floatplane base for a scenic flight to Denali, Prince William Sound, or the mountains and glaciers surrounding Anchorage.  And best of all, you can enjoy all this and be back in time for dinner.

Fill up on a hearty breakfast at your Anchorage  bed & breakfast  or  local cafe  before navigating to the  Alaska Aviation Museum  for a look into Alaska’s fascinating aviation history. See historical Alaska aircraft and rare film footage of Alaska’s pioneer aviators, and explore 20 different vintage aircraft.

Soar above the Chugach Mountains, Denali, Prince William Sound or the Harding Icefield on a  flightseeing tour . Fly through valleys of deep glaciers, where walls of prehistoric ice and rock jut skyward from the earth. Dependable operations offer year-round personalized flights or charters from Anchorage via floatplane, fixed-wing, and helicopter.

Explore Anchorage's numerous  eateries  where you dine on a bridge or enjoy a  local brew  and catch up with friends on an outdoor deck with unparalleled views.  From streetside cafes to four-star restaurants, Anchorage chefs showcase Alaska crops and catches on center stage. Looking for the ultimate pairing?  Anchorage nightlife  goes with any meal.

Day Trips North of the City

A road trip north of Anchorage via the Glenn Highway means abundant opportunities to hike, bike, visit local historical and cultural sites, and explore Chugach State Park.

Day Trips South of the City

A road trip south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway is filled with opportunities to explore glaciers and mountains, enjoy Turnagain Arm trails, watch for wildlife, and other Alaska adventures.

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Salmon Berry Travel & Tours

Explore Alaska with the Experts

Hatcher Pass Hike & History Tour from Anchorage

Go for a short hike, gold pan in the creek and participate in a behind-the-scenes tour at the Independence Mine State Historical Park.

Price per Person

• Description
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This afternoon excursion from Anchorage includes a local guide, our signature tour at Independence Mine State Historical Park, a gold panning demonstration, time at the creek with a pan (rental included), and an interpretive hike along the Mill Loop Trail.

To begin this unique Alaska adventure, we’ll drive north from Anchorage along the Knik Arm, passing through the town of Palmer, an agricultural community known for growing record-breaking produce that grows under our famous Midnight Sun. As we ascend into the Talkeetna Mountains, we’ll enter the breathtaking alpine area known as Hatcher Pass, where we’ll take an interpretive walk through the now-abandoned Independence Mine. Following this 45-minute tour, enjoy a panning demonstration and free time to pan on your own before continuing to a guided hike around the greater mine site along the Mill Loop Trail.

This loop trail is an easy .9-mile hike with 177 feet of elevation gain (since we’re already at 3,500 feet in the Talkeetna Mountains, the views are incredible!). This short trail above Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass is family-friendly and introduces flora and fauna of alpine ecosystems. Common wildlife sightings include arctic ground squirrels and marmots — If you don’t see them, you will likely hear them whistle!

This tour includes complimentary snacks and water. We will return to Anchorage between 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

For more information on this tour, please get in  touch with us or give us a call at 866-681-0209

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED

• Narration provided by a CDL Certified Alaskan Guide (English speaking)
• A more personal experience of up to 13 guests in our clean and comfortable sprinter vans
• Admission for Independence Mine State Historic Park Tour
• Guided interpretive walk along the Mill Loop Trail
• Time to visit the Gift Shop
• Gold Panning Demo & time at the creek
• Stretch your legs for up-close views or look through our panoramic windows
• An assortment of complimentary snacks and water are available throughout the tour, including Bunkhouse #2 Popcorn!
• Pick up available from major hotels located in Anchorage
• *Please note that we do limit pick-ups to 3 hotels per tour. BOOK NOW TO CONFIRM YOUR PICK UP
• Conveniently located in downtown Anchorage
• *Please select “Meet at Salmon Berry Tours Office” at the time of booking to confirm
• Drop-off is available from major hotels located in Anchorage

NOT INCLUDED

• Basic guide gratuity for this tour starts at $10.00 per guest

Day Tour Cancellation Policy

For direct booking cancellations received outside 7 days before the first day of your tour, a 10% fee will be withheld. For cancellations within 7 days, no refund applies.

Salmon Berry Travel & Tours recommends travel insurance provided by TravelSafe Insurance . Our recommendation is based on positive guest feedback. In particular, the experience of one Salmon Berry guest is instructive:

• Our guest had booked the vacation of a lifetime and the ultimate Alaska package. She had to cancel the trip a week before it began due to unfortunate circumstances.
• She later told us that within ten minutes of phone time, her claim was processed in full. She was very pleased with TravelSafe Insurance’s immediate and empathetic response. Getting a refund for her trip was the last thing she wanted to think about, and TravelSafe Insurance immediately took care of her needs and concerns.

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A history of novelty songs about Alaska

In genres like rock, country and rockabilly, the songs reference alaska’s midnight suns, sourdoughs, cheechakos and cold winters..

The cover of a Japanese vinyl pressing of “A Rock n Roll Girl from Alaska” (1977) by Tanya Tucker

Part of a continuing weekly series on Alaska history by local historian David Reamer. Have a question about Anchorage or Alaska history or an idea for a future article? Go to the form at the bottom of this story.

At one point or another, regarding almost every aspect great and small, whether positive or negative, so many people have gazed with wonder at Alaska and thought to themselves, “I could make some real money off that.” The scale varies, from mosquito plushies to oil plundering, but the modern throughline is consistent and nigh constant. Alaska has been repeatedly exploited for financial gain, sometimes by Alaskans, too often for the betterment of outsiders.

The simplest way to exploit Alaska is to leverage its cachet and continuing natural, exotic appeal. The easiest way of doing that is to slap the word “Alaska” on a product. Think of the dessert Baked Alaska, which has a more convoluted origin than the traditional myth as an 1867 New York restaurant creation but nonetheless was certainly not from Alaska, merely borrowing the name. Beginning in earnest with the Klondike gold rush, the idea of Alaska has been used to sell everything from board games to movies to bottled water, an early example of the latter in an upcoming article. And among the smallest such examples, yet not the least interesting, are the Alaska novelty songs.

Novelty songs are somewhat difficult to define apart from their generally less than serious tone, though there are exceptions even for that. They have been popular for more than a century and originate from any genre. They are typically centered on a gimmick, like a joke, singular event, specific place, or passing cultural trend. “My Ding-a-Ling” by Chuck Berry, “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, and “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” by Ylvis are novelty songs. “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers is not a novelty song, though namechecking Alaska is a common trait of novelty songs about Alaska. As a rough rule, a song might be considered a novelty when the gimmick is more important than the music.

While the concept is enduring, novelty songs have endured peaks and valleys in popularity. One such peak began in the late 1940s, corresponding with increased interest in Alaska given the march toward statehood. While not specifically about Alaska, “When the Ice Worms Nest Again” merits mention. The song, perhaps written during the Klondike gold rush, refers to the classic sourdough prank on newcomers, pressuring them to down a drink with an “ice worm,” really just a piece of spaghetti marked with eyes.

Numerous covers were performed in the 1940s and 1950s by country acts with fantastic names, including Wilf Carter with the Calgary Stampeders, Bud Alden and the Buckaroos, and Smilin’ Johnnie and his Prairie Pals. The lyrics vary slightly from version to version, but per one version, “In the land of the pale blue snow, where it’s 45 below, and the polar bears are roaming o’er the plain, in the shadow of the pole, you can clasp me to your soul, we’ll be happy when the ice worms nest again.”

“April in Fairbanks,” written by Jane Connell for the 1956 Broadway revue “New Faces in 1956,” was one of the more unique examples of this trend, most notably given its relative success. Most commonly associated with singer Alice Ghostley, the song notes, “You’ve never known the charm of Spring until you hear a walrus sighing. The air is perfumed with the smell of blubber frying. April in Fairbanks; you’ll suddenly discover a polar bear’s your lover, in Fairbanks.” Connell was clearly more interested in the lyrics and jokey concept of trying to find love in a frigid Fairbanks.

Musicians Johnny and Betty Jo Starr, formerly of Palmer, moved to Montana in 1953 but kept Alaska somewhat close to their hearts. On their own Alaska Records, they released a series of vinyl singles over the decade. As Betty Jo Starr and the Alaskans, Betty Jo and Johnny Starr, and Johnny Starr and the Alaskans, their songs included “Alaska Waltz,” “Copper Colored Klootch,” “Eskimo Boogie,” “I’m a Cheechako,” “Son of a Sourdough,” “Song of Anchorage,” “Song of Fairbanks,” “The 49th Star,” and a cover of “When the Ice Worms Nest Again. These tracks are each about as deep as their titles suggest. “I’m a Cheechako” opens with, “Now, I was among the many that came up Alaska way. Oh, I landed up in Seward, out in Resurrection Bay. From there I went to Anchorage, my fortune I would make, but I’m still a big cheechako, and I haven’t made my stake.”

The Starrs likely made some return visits north. “Eskimo Boogie” works like an itinerary for an Alaska tour, namedropping several well-known — infamous — Alaska bars, like the Mecca and Riverside in Fairbanks, the Malemute and Last Chance in Anchorage, and the Fireside Lounge and Buckaroo in a then-independent Spenard. The lyrics declare, “Well, we headed for the Malemute and we almost died. It was burned to the ground, so we knew that he lied.” The Malemute Saloon burned down on the night of Jan. 17-18, 1957, part of a large blaze that took four businesses and threatened a wide swath of downtown Anchorage.

Alaska novelty songs reached their zenith around 1959, as singers nationwide rushed for their celebratory take on the new state. The Rebelaires’ 1958 upbeat rocker “Alaska Rock,” the Huskies’ straightforward 1958 “Alaska, U.S.A.,” Macky Kasper’s 1959 jazz instrumental “Alaska Song,” Larry and Dixie Davis’ 1959 rockabilly song “Welcome Alaska,” Freddie Bearden’s “Alaska the 49th Star,” and several more like them came and went with little notice.

Lawton William’s 1958 country song “Alaska vs. Texas” stands out in this period. Exploiting a trend within a trend about Texan jealousy over Alaska statehood, Williams sings, “Oh, the Texan takes his Lincoln to round up his cattle herd, and children drive to school each day in a brand-new Thunderbird, but Texas pride is hurting now for they have just been told, that Alaska is the biggest state, and the place is full of gold.” Jokes and insults were thrown both ways as Alaska and Texas engaged in a brief and mostly friendly feud.

There were ramshackle comedic efforts at the lower end, like the 1958 “The Cool Alaska Rock & Roll (Part 1)” by Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy. “Part 2″ was the B-side. “C’mon and dance with me ‘cause I ain’t no square. I’m a gonna hug you tight like a polar bear.” Still, it is perhaps better than the 1965 “Big Fat Alaskan” by Donnie and the Outcasts, which leans into repeating the title.

In more Alaska-adjacent novelty songs, there were several releases about the midnight sun, such as the Pink Cloud’s 1967 “Midnight Sun.” Yes, most novelty songs skimp on the title. Al Oster, the longtime Yukon balladeer (1924-2017), repeatedly mined the legends and traditions of the north for new songs. And in his hands, something like the 1960 “Midnight Sun Rock” is barely a novelty.

Gary Williams’ 1964 country track “Alaska” has one of the more confounding lines in Alaska novelty songs. Williams, a Grand Old Opry traveling show mainstay for several years, was hopefully being ironic when he sings, “Like Soapy Smith and Dan McGrew, I’m gonna make my fortune too.” Both characters, the real Skagway gangster and the imaginary prospector, respectively, met their ends in shootouts. Regardless, this was one of the more successful Alaska novelty songs with solid airplay outside the state.

Even the Alaska natural disasters had novelty songs. Blue Ervin quickly released “Alaska Earthquake” after the March 27, 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. “Blue Ervin” was Ervin C. Elswick, an Army sergeant then stationed in Anchorage. Longtime residents might remember his radio show. The song itself is an anodyne effort, never rising above a tepid, simple recounting of events though taking the good time to praise Alaskans: “Anchorage and Whittier, Seward and Kodiak, all suffered greatly when the earth began to crack. They all are rebuilding their homes and stores once more, for these are great people, living on Alaska’s shore.”

If Anchorage had an earthquake song, Fairbanks had to have a flood song. In the wake of the severe August 1967 flood, Ted Harris released “The Fairbanks Flood,” a solid rockabilly jam.

In 1977, Tanya Tucker released “A Rock n Roll Girl from Alaska.” The country legend, notably not from Alaska, is undoubtedly more talented than novelty songwriters, even that early in her career. However, the song was only released in Japan as a 7-inch vinyl single as part of a coffee promotion, a novelty item if nothing else. “‘Cause I’m a rock’n roll girl from Alaska, from the ice block homes far away, but rocks of ice are so cold — and rock is nicer with roll, so the city is where I’ll stay.”

The back cover of a Japanese vinyl pressing of “A Rock n Roll Girl from Alaska” (1977) by Tanya Tucker

These are only a few of the many Alaska novelty songs that, when viewed together, illustrate a shared flaw. They are generally not specific enough to be genuinely Alaskan. Midnight suns, sourdoughs, cheechakos, and cold winters are lazy references, good enough for the outsiders. Where are the songs about potholes, massive breakup puddles, saying snowmachine versus snowmobile, picking berries, or shipping costs? Has there been a ballad of the white raven yet?

Key sources:

“ Al Oster, ‘Northland Balladeer’ Who Wrote About Yukon, Dead at 92 .” CBC Radio-Canada, October 30, 2017.

Discogs. Discogs.com .

“Fire Wipes Out Four Businesses.” Anchorage Daily Times, January 18, 1957, 1, 9.

“New Record.” Anchorage Daily News, January 9, 1959, 12.

David Reamer | Histories of Alaska

David Reamer is a historian who writes about Anchorage. His peer-reviewed articles include topics as diverse as baseball, housing discrimination, Alaska Jewish history and the English gin craze. He’s a UAA graduate and nerd for research who loves helping people with history questions. He also posts daily Alaska history on Twitter @ANC_Historian.

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U.S. Department of the Treasury

Press gaggle by secretary of the treasury janet l. yellen in anchorage, alaska.

Secretary Yellen: I think as everyone knows President Biden talked to President Xi yesterday and my trip to meet with my counterpart should be seen as a continuation of a dialogue that we’ve been engaged in and deepening ever since President Xi and President Biden met in Bali. President Biden charged me with attempting to stabilize our economic relationship, to deepen our communication, and we’ve been doing that over the last year, year and a half. This will be my third meeting with my counterpart, He Lifeng, the Vice Premier. We have set up two working groups, an Economic Working Group and Financial Working Group. We have met three times and [are] scheduled to meet again during the IMF/World Bank meetings next week and I think we’ve certainly have had an opportunity to discuss in depth our economic relationship and we’ve agreed that it’s important to both of us that we don’t want to decouple our economies. We want to continue – and we think we both benefit from – trade and investment, but that it needs to be on a level playing field. And I think it's important at all levels, and for me, at the level of the Vice Premier to communicate both the value we place on our relationship but also the concerns we have – and have agreed that we need to have a level playing field. In particular, we’re concerned about massive investment in China and a set of industries that’s resulting in overcapacity, and we’re concerned about the spillovers that Chinese subsidies to these industries  are having on the United States and other countries as well. So, this will be one of the topics of discussion. We’ve also agreed it’s important for each of us, and for the world as a whole, that we cooperate on a wide range of issues, and we’re doing that too. We will discuss illicit finance and the progress that we are making together on anti-money laundering and countering illicit finance. In addition, our Financial Working Group is undertaking joint exercises and technical work with colleagues in the People's Bank of China relating to financial stability. How would we coordinate our efforts if there were to be stress on a large global banking institution? We’re also discussing how we go about assessing the risks from climate change. So, those are some of the things that we’ll be talking about. So, deepening our communication and attempting to have productive and constructive discussions through our differences. 

Q: Secretary Yellen, Brian Cheung with NBC News, can you tell us about how this meeting came together? And with the President’s phone call with President Xi yesterday, and your visit, is the expectation that there are going to be other bilateral meetings later on this year? And what might those dialogues look like?

Secretary Yellen: Well, I think our expectation is that we will at senior levels, and increasingly at all levels, continue to have ongoing and deepening dialogue. We went for too long with too little communication, and misunderstandings developed. So, President Biden and President Xi agreed when they met in California that they would continue to stay in touch periodically and my understanding is yesterday’s call was understood to be one of the periodic meetings, and my counterpart and I have commissioned these workgroups that report to us and we’re gathering, and I expect that we will continue to meet periodically as well as the work groups. So, I expect this to be an ongoing set of interactions.

Q: Secretary, you mentioned the concerns about the overcapacity in China. Will you be bringing a message that if there are not changes, that trade barriers might be considered that the need to protect these industries in the U.S. and Europe, that China will face increasing pressures for trade barriers and tariffs?

Secretary Yellen: I don’t have anything specific to offer on that, but I will emphasize that the United States takes resiliency of supply chains seriously as an issue that we feel it’s important to have some domestic presence in clean energy, clean energy technologies. The Inflation Reduction Act is both intended to advance our emissions reduction goals, but also to reduce our extreme dependence on China with respect to clean energy supplies. So, we are trying to nurture an industry in, for example, solar cells, electric batteries, electric vehicles, and these are actually all areas where we think that massive investment in China is creating some overcapacity. So, we’re providing tax subsidies to these, and to some of these sectors, and I wouldn’t want to rule out other possible ways in which we would protect them. But, you know, I think it’s not just the United States, but quite a few countries, including Mexico, Europe, Japan that are feeling the pressure from massive investment in these industries in China.

April snow pushes Anchorage towards all-time record

The storm track is active over the north pacific ocean.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Snowfall remains a factor in the forecast for many areas of the state as a string of low pressure systems helps keep Alaska in winter mode.

Southcentral will see the snow mix with rain along the coasts.

Anchorage saw 1″ of snow Thursday, pushing the seasonal total to 129.2″.

Anchorage needs 5.4″ to break the all-time seasonal snowfall record from 2011-2012, when we reached 134.5 inches for the whole winter.

The next area of focus is out west, where yet another large Pacific low surges north and again brings high winds, snow and rain. Winds over the western Aleutians will pick up Friday and gusts could ramp up to 60 to 70 mph by Friday night in Adak and Shemya.

Hot spot for Alaska was Ketchikan with 50 degrees.

Cold spot goes to Point Thomson, where temperatures dropped to 5 degrees below zero.

Copyright 2024 KTUU. All rights reserved.

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Sunshine today, with more snow arriving into Tuesday

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Juneau had a record-breaking cruise season last year. This year should be about the same.

Juneau’s 2024 cruise ship tourism season is just around the corner as the  first ship of the year  — the Norwegian Bliss — is slated to arrive early Tuesday morning.

Last year, the capital city saw its busiest season ever — welcoming more than 1.6 million passengers. On the busiest days, Juneau welcomed upwards of 21,000 cruise visitors. 

Juneau Tourism Manager Alix Pierce said this year likely won’t top last year’s record-breaking season. She expects to see about the same number of visitors.

“I think it will run a lot more smoothly, and things will be better,” she said. “Generally, our tour operators know what to expect. They know what kind of volume to expect, and they’re gearing up and getting ready.”

In a survey conducted last fall, about 64% of Juneau residents said they wanted to keep the local tourism volume about the same or reduce it slightly. 

But some major problems did crop up during 2023’s record season — things like heavy  downtown congestion , the Mendenhall Glacier reaching  its tour capacity  and business owners saying it was just hard to keep up.

One big change this year for controlling the traffic will be a new limit of  five large ships  per day. 

During a tourism panel on Thursday, Cruise Lines International Association Alaska spokesperson Renee Reeve said that agreement with the city will be key to flattening growth in the coming years.

“I think what that shows is industry’s commitment and CBJs commitment to making this place somewhere that visitors want to visit, and somewhere that the residents want to live,” she said.

A limit on the number of ships does not necessarily mean fewer passengers. But an even bigger change could be coming in 2026. Pierce said the city is in the early stages of negotiating with cruise lines to limit the number of passengers that come off their ships each day. 

“The best thing that we can come up with are daily passenger caps to keep our numbers relatively flat or decrease a little bit,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing some of these things come to fruition, and then seeing how it feels in terms of passenger volume, and numbers and what that means for us as a destination.”

Last season, cruise ship passengers spent a total of $320 million in Juneau, according to a  report that came out last fall.  To support that business, it’s estimated that more than 3,000 people in Juneau worked jobs that were directly related to tourism. 

Local tour operators faced a tough situation after they sold out on  bus trips to the Mendenhall Glacier  halfway through the season, which meant more tourists stayed downtown.

This year, the city plans to send extra buses to follow the city buses that carry people out to the glacier to handle the overflow. Pierce said local operators are also trying to balance their permits over the season to reduce congestion on buses and downtown.

“They’re offering more city tours that go to other sites where you can see the glacier from elsewhere. So they’re trying to pick up that volume in different ways,” she said.

In April, about one-to-three ships will port in Juneau per week before ramping up to three-to-five ships per day by the latter half of May. Ships will continue to port in Juneau nearly every day before winding down in late October. 

And as tourism kicks up for the summer, residents can send in complaints and concerns to the city’s  tourism hotline.

Clarise Larson, KTOO - Juneau

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